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Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: WestSide on February 05, 2013, 12:47:49 am

Title: Bad Smelling Gas
Post by: WestSide on February 05, 2013, 12:47:49 am
So...  How does one deal with bad smelling gas?
Is this going to get better or what?

It has smelled bad before I started treatment and I am not getting the runs so far but the gas is very sulfur smelling.

Is there anything that can be done for that?

I mean if I ever go on a date again I don't know how to explain that or if someone would be willing to put up with that.

I am lactose intolerant and have IBS but I don't eat dairy or anything that would cause this except for the HIV that I know of.

 :o
Title: Re: Bad Smelling Gas
Post by: Miss Philicia on February 05, 2013, 01:40:37 am
Usually it's the tenofovir component of this medication that is the culprit. You'll need to try an over the counter remedy like Beono or Lactaid. Also probiotics would probably help.
Title: Re: Bad Smelling Gas
Post by: WestSide on February 05, 2013, 02:02:46 am
I have been taking a probiotic for 3 months.  I am wondering if that might be part of the problem.  I should have mentioned that.  I'll have to try the beano I guess.
Title: Re: Bad Smelling Gas
Post by: Miss Philicia on February 05, 2013, 02:18:41 am
I have been taking a probiotic for 3 months.  I am wondering if that might be part of the problem.  I should have mentioned that.  I'll have to try the beano I guess.

Maybe you should stop the probiotic and see what happens. That way you'll know, but I find it hard to believe that's the cause. I also think that my gas was bad when I first took this medication but then calmed down after a while. I still get it sometimes but it's not a continual daily issue.
Title: Re: Bad Smelling Gas
Post by: Ann on February 05, 2013, 06:20:31 am
I've found that the less I eat when I take my meds, the more I fart a few hours later. If I have a big meal when I take my meds, I usually don't fart at all. Unless I happen to eat something like beans, that is. And of course my farts never smell bad. (in my dreams) ;D

Stribild is meant to be taken with food. Are you doing that?
Title: Re: Bad Smelling Gas
Post by: texaninnyc87 on February 05, 2013, 11:27:41 am
I was having bad gas before i started treatment but it seems to be gone now. I have a ridiculously strong stomach though so I that could be a part of it.
Title: Re: Bad Smelling Gas
Post by: Jeff G on February 05, 2013, 12:04:08 pm
I think its the tenofovir that gives me gas . I have actually seen a gastro specialist because I get such painful gas that I cant pass . They call it GERD or acid reflux and put me on a variety of meds for it over the years . I get gas trapped in my stomach that feels like its under my ribs and for lack of a better description it feels like I have been punched in the belly . This past week was really bad with this symptom and I plan on bringing it up with my doc next visit , yet again .
Title: Re: Bad Smelling Gas
Post by: red_Dragon888 on February 05, 2013, 02:27:00 pm
are you sure you are avoiding milk products like cakes, pasta sauce, breads, and yogurt.  the probiotic may have milk in it.  whey is a milk product.
Title: Re: Bad Smelling Gas
Post by: J.R.E. on February 05, 2013, 08:19:34 pm
Hi,..

I was on Viread from around mid 2004 to Oct of 2009. It was added as a third nuke to my regimen. One of the things I noticed was an increase in flatulence and the odor was more noticeable.  However, most of that diminished over time.

I'll just throw this out there, but if you are taking, Vitamins, supplements, protein drinks or shakes, there is a very good chance this could be causing some of the problems.

If this is the case, you may want to  to cut back, or cut completely some of the vitamins/supplements ( unless directed to, by your doctor), and see how it goes.


Ray
Title: Re: Bad Smelling Gas
Post by: WestSide on February 06, 2013, 12:27:23 am
I've found that the less I eat when I take my meds, the more I fart a few hours later. If I have a big meal when I take my meds, I usually don't fart at all. Unless I happen to eat something like beans, that is. And of course my farts never smell bad. (in my dreams) ;D

Stribild is meant to be taken with food. Are you doing that?

Yes Ann.
I am taking the Stribild with food.  The gas seems to be more obvious at night.
I am thinking that since the probiotics are made from milk products that maybe I should try not using them for a while and see if that causes any changes.
Title: Re: Bad Smelling Gas
Post by: WestSide on February 06, 2013, 12:30:44 am
I think its the tenofovir that gives me gas . I have actually seen a gastro specialist because I get such painful gas that I cant pass . They call it GERD or acid reflux and put me on a variety of meds for it over the years . I get gas trapped in my stomach that feels like its under my ribs and for lack of a better description it feels like I have been punched in the belly . This past week was really bad with this symptom and I plan on bringing it up with my doc next visit , yet again .

Wow - I'm sorry that you are suffering with gas so badly.  When I get really gassy I can tell it hurts my intestines but I haven't had that pain in a while.  Now that I am on meds it seems like the pains I have everywhere are calming down a bit. 
Title: Re: Bad Smelling Gas / Lung Inflammation
Post by: WestSide on February 06, 2013, 12:36:31 am
And for the rest of you... Thank you for your input.  I am going to rule out the probiotics and go from there.

The only other thing that concerns me is the feeling like I am borderline developing a cough.  I always feel like my chest hurts like I am going to come down with bronchitis but I never do.  I've had that for the same amount of time.  I wonder if it is part of my system being run down with the virus. 

My doctor screened me for TB and I have my shots up-to-date and I am good on both counts.

Has anyone ever felt that way and does it go away?   I'm getting tired of feeling like I am always sick but I'm not.  I feel like I have energy but I always feel like I am in a state of unwell.   I notice that when I get a wave of stress it really makes me feel strange like when you feel like you get a fever and then it passes when the stress passes.

Thoughts?
Title: Re: Bad Smelling Gas
Post by: Ann on February 06, 2013, 08:57:27 am
You should talk to you doctor about the chest pain. He or she may want to rule out esophageal thrush (http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/Candidiasis_6839.shtml). Don't panic - if it does turn out to be that, it's easily treated.
Title: Re: Bad Smelling Gas
Post by: surf18 on February 06, 2013, 03:23:46 pm
Beano as mentioned works great for my bloat gas and that full feeling.
Title: Re: Bad Smelling Gas
Post by: WestSide on February 07, 2013, 11:27:33 pm
I did the beano and that is working well.  My lungs feel better today.  I think my medications must be kicking in too and getting more rest I think. 


Ann - my doctors don't believe I have that but they only did a visual inspection.
If the pain continues I will definitely have them evaluate that.


Thanks for the advice. 

Title: Re: Bad Smelling Gas
Post by: oksikoko on February 08, 2013, 07:00:35 pm
Hey, WestSide. I started Stribild a couple of months before you and had the same issue. As Miss P said and according to everything I read while trying to figure out how to deal with it, tenofovir seems to be the guilty party here. For what it's worth, it seems to have mostly cleared up on its own as I got used to the pills.

If you haven't experienced it, I'm sure it sounds silly, but there comes a point when this starts to interfere with daily activities...  :o
Title: Re: Bad Smelling Gas
Post by: Fisher on February 08, 2013, 09:53:46 pm
I'm sorry. For me, this issue can be very embarrassing and annoying at times.

On the bright side, we are the lastest promise of a brand new renewable, sustainable energy resource. . . .